Windows 10: A Stupid Question About Windows 10 Product Keys

It must be the one Windows is currently using, because I'm running a full retail version (not an upgrade version) of Windows 7 that I clean installed in place of the OEM Vista the machine came with.

 

Most of those utilities like majicjellybean etc pull the key from the Windows registry. That would be the current key in use. That's what most people want. The gotchas are if you upgraded to Pro in Windows 8 and your key gets blocked because you bought it on say ebay. Then you need the original non pro key to get legal again. Same thing can happen if you add Media Center and it fails activation. Those utilities will just show you your Media Center key. Showkey gets you all the keys. That's all I'm saying. It all depends on what your looking for.

 

I recently downloaded Showkey and have checked my 2 PC's. Nice utility *Smile.

I have a question about my Laptop PC.

Toshiba Laptop Win 7x64 Home Premium OEM version (factory installed Win 7).

Here's my Showkey info from the Laptop:

Windows Product Key InformationProduct Name: Windows 7 Home Premium
Product ID: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Installed Key: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
OEM Key: Windows 7 OEM marker present in firmware

Is the OEM firmware key the same as my COA sticker? Since it didn't show the key information, I was curious about it.

 

Where does one get the Showkey you refer to? I did a quick search, and there are all sorts of different things going by that name...

 

I think its already linked to but here it is again. https://www.tenforums.com/software-ap...7-showkey.html

 

No, they will be different. The Windows 7 OEM key is not stored in the BIOS, only OEM info is there. Showkey won't show the Windows 7 key unless you upgraded from Windows 7 or are running Windows 7. It's only ever stored in the Windows registry.

 

I will run my Speccy and report back. So far I have tried Showkey and Magical Jelly Bean and I have uncovered the same unique product code both times.

 

Have you opted out of the Insiders Program on that PC? If yes, do you know what your key was before and after?

 

10-4, thanks for the info.

I'm still a little apprehensive about the Win 10 question I had about keeping my original OEM Win 7 install on one HDD and upgrading to the free Win 10 OS on another HDD. I'll see how it goes with other member's posts after the general releases rolls out.

It's the part about an OEM key/code, etc, being present in the firmware that I'm wondering about, if that will prevent me from using 2 HDD's when I want to switch from Win 7 to 10, and vice versa.

However, I'll probably upgrade my Desktop PC first. It doesn't have any OEM/key present on my MoBo.

 

Thanks! It correctly shows my currently installed Win10 key (same as what Speccy shows), the Win8 key from which it was upgraded, and says that a Vista OEM marker is present in firmware. Interesting...

 

There is no Windows 7 key stored in the firmware, even on OEM PC's. There is a SLIC table with software licensing info but no product code. Embedded keys are only used in Windows 8. The SLIC table just lists the OEM, example Dell, and that its authorized for a factory Windows 7 install. There isn't even any version info there. The factory install media determines what version is installed and what key is used.

 

The BIOS SLIC table can have markers for XP, Vista and or Windows 7. It all depends on what Windows OS's where originally offered with that PC. It looks like yours is only validated for an OEM Vista install.

 

Yes, I have opted out of the insiders program. I am running a full RTM version of Windows 10 Home Edition with a unique product code. I have documented it very fully here and in other threads. I am going to perform a full clean install with an ISO and my unique Windows 10 product code, just for fun.

 

Do you know if you key changed when you opted out?

 

Thanks again for the info. Sounds like it'll work ok with the 2-HDD idea.